MARTIN ALLEN, the Brentford manager who inspired his team by swimming in the freezing Solent, had the Bees believing last night he could walk on water.

His League One side stormed back from 2-0 down to a deserved replay and shatter Southampton's confidence before the second-bottom Premiership team goes to West Brom on Tuesday for a vital relegation battle.

Isaiah Rankin, discarded as a kid by Arsenal, and Sam Sodje, who was at Conference South club Margate only eight months ago, came up with the goals that left Saints facing an unwanted replay a week on Tuesday.

Brentford boss Allen, who hates his playing nickname "Mad Dog" from his West Ham days under Harry Redknapp, was like a whirling dervish on the sidelines, conducting the Brentford fans to roar their team on.

It had looked a hopeless cause after Henri Camara had been given the easiest of two tap-in goals, the first coming in only three minutes.

And the second came from a fluke following a charged down clearance by reserve keeper Stuart Nelson.

Brentford haven't beaten a top-flight club since 1949 but how close they came. And even when the returning Kevin Phillips netted in time added on they deserved to see the linesman's flag go up and the goal was ruled out.

Allen had promised his players he would swim in the Solent if they came through their replay against Hartlepool last week where he also went for a dip. He was true to his word and now Brentford will fancy their chances in a replay at Griffin Park.

Brentford appeared to announce their intentions in 30 seconds when John Salako ploughed into Camara. But then they tried to play football rather than kick lumps out of their Premiership hosts.

Unfortunately Brentford caved in quickly as Peter Crouch and Phillips opened them up down the left. Graeme Le Saux was left with a simple ball into the goal area which Camara tapped into the empty net.

Brentford could and should have equalised in the 10th minute when Southampton, uncomfortable in clearing their lines, got unhinged by a long throw from the right.

Deon Burton was left with a simple volleying chance from eight yards out on the left but he could only shoot straight at former Brentford keeper Paul Smith.

But it was the underdogs who were fortunate not to go 2-0 down when Le Saux swung over a corner from the left and Calum Davenport headed against the bar. The ball fell for Peter Crouch but he could only direct it into the arms of Nelson, only playing because first choice Ade Bankole was cup-tied.

Then Crouch held his head in frustration after his header that looked like creeping into the right corner was clawed out by Nelson following Rory Delap's free kick.

But again Saints could not clear as Jay Tabb let fly with a rising drive from just inside the penalty area and Smith had to tip it over for a corner.

Brentford appeared fortunate when Andrew Frampton appeared to take Camara's legs on the edge of the area. But referee Graham Poll didn't even award a free kick.

Saints suffered the first booking when Le Saux was cautioned for tripping lively winger Tabb.

Allen sank into despair nine minutes before half time as his side went 2-0 down.

There was no danger when keeper Nelson in fly-kicking a clearance, somehow hit the ball against Phillips' back.

The ball fell for Crouch who put in Phillips on the left. Nelson did well to dive and save his low shot but again the ball simply squirted out to Camara who couldn't miss an empty net for his fourth goal in three games for Southampton.

Brentford fans tried to retaliate by chanting "Going down, Going down" and they were soon given a huge lift.

Saints were sleeping as Sodje got the ball away down the left for Rankin. The striker did not need a second invitation, beating two defenders as he cut in from the left and hit the ball into the net past the far right post.

That reinvigorated Brentford and going in at half time Allen gave each player a pat on the back. Southampton did not look at ease in the second half and Rankin was given a clear chance on the edge of the area but shot straight at Smith.

Only a tremendous last-ditch tackle by Michael Turner, on loan from Charlton, prevented Phillips from having an easy chance to make it 3-1.

And after 58 minutes Brentford were level. Burton got the ball out to Tabb on the right and he judged his centre perfectly to leave Smith stranded as Sodje sailed in at the far post to bundle the ball into the net.

Southampton were shocked and it was Brentford who threatened to take over with Allen in full cry on the sidelines as he lifted his team, while home boss Redknapp and his backroom staff looked distinctly dismayed.

Brentford had a chance to hit the winner but Frampton volleyed straight at Smith.

However Camara went near to his hat-trick when he sent the ball fizzing past the far right post.Man of the Match:Isaiah Rankin